Self-filling fountain or reservoir pen



FJT. OHANLON. SELF FILLING FOUNTAIN 0R RESERVOIR PEN.

APPLICATION FILED MAR- 20. I922.

Patent edl Oct. 24, 1922.

4 SHEETSSHEET l- F. T. O'HANLON. sur mums mum/um on nzssnvom PEN.

l APPLICATION. FILED MAR. 20, I922- l1;11\3,222., Patented Oct. 24, 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

F. T. OHANLON. SELF FILLING FOUNTAIN 0R RESERVOIR PEN. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 20, 1922.

F. T. OHANLON. SELF FILLING FOUNTAIN 0R RESERVOIR PEN.

APPLICATION FILED MAR- 20, 1922.

Patented Oct. 24, 1922..

W m w i J Patented meant, 11%22 i i i l i is or barrel throughthe reciprocatory mve- "Figqlf l isa plan view of the rear or shank 70 I I i i rniirn rnonas orranron, or :crvnnroori, :snetann i snLr-rrranna roun'rarnion nnsnnvo in Pun.

application a March so, less.- Serial No. sashes.

T0 azzpwhpm m lm j a longitudinal section showing positions of Beit knownthat LFELIX THOMAS (Titian the parts when the pen is in writing condir on, a subject of the King of England, re tron; and Fig. t is a longitudinal section siding in Liverpool, countyof Lancaster, showing the positions of the parts in the ink 5 England, haveinvented certain new andusecharging operation. i

:tul lmprovements in or Relating to Etelt- Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the rear or Filling Fountain or Reservoir Pens (for shank end of the pen, detachable parts being which I have filed an application in. Great removed. l .H Britain, Number 3428, dated-28th January, Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, are longitudinal 10 1921), at which the following is a specifisections illustrating modified spring ar- OM10 i I v rangements for efi ecting thevalve closure. This invention relates to selt-filling foun- "Figs/10 and 11 are views showing'lnoditainor reservoir pens of the type in Whicha 'fied modes of pivotally supporting a valve chargeo't ink is induced into the pen body actuating member. i

ment ofan external cap or sleeve preferend of a pen provided with modified air adably the cap which when the penis not in missionmean 1 use covers the nib-on the outside of the Fig. 13 is a view of the nib end of the pen barrel; and has for its .objectstoprovide a provided with an air admission slot. 2Q, pen which shall besimple in construction, Figs. 14 and 15 are, respectively longitudii and of large ink holding capacity. 1 The ink nal and transverse sections of the rear or charging operation is effected through the shank end of a pen provided with a modimere withdrawal of thecap or sleeve,and it tied valve arrangement, and i is ensured that all residue ink shall be disiFig.16showsafurther modified valve. chargedbei'ore induction takes place. Fig. 17 illustrates in section a modified 30 Broadly, my inventionconsistsin the promode otanchoring a valve actuating mem vision at the rear or shank end of the pen ber. y y body or barrel of an air opening or openings In the several views like characters of refand a valve which normally closes said openerence denote like or equivalent parts wherso ing or openings; meansiwhereby said valve ever they occur.

is; opened andniaintained open through the Referring to the drawings, but first more contact of the inside wall of thecap with a particularly to the construction; shown in valve actuating part or member, .whiclror Figs. lto 5: i a: portion whereof normally protrudes, or is .1 indicates the pen body or barrel and 2 is 35 adapted. to be protruded, into the travelling the sleeve cap which, when the pen is not in so path ofthe inside face of the cap, when said use, covers the nib in the usual manner.

cap is reciprocated onthe barrel in the dis- Within the rear or shank end of the pen charging (otresidue ink ii any) and 'chargbody or barrel 1 there is formed a chamber a ing operation, and closes automatically when orcavityfi wherein is disposed a lever 4c,

40 the latter operationis completed; andmeans a, 4:", which is pivotally mounted upon a (such, for instance, as a cap screwed on to pin 5 extending transversely across the body the rear or shank end of the pen and adapted 1. Said lever l, 4, 1 is constructed of vulto bear on said valve) torlocking said valve canite, hardfibre, or other suitable material, andmaintainingsame lockedat will. i and thedepending arm P thereof enters a, 45 I will further describe my invention with passage 6 provided in a push member 7 the aid of the. accon'ipanying sheets of ex; which passes through an aperture 8 formed planatory drawings,'which show, byway of in the penbody 1 and projects into the\chamexamples only, se'veralmodes of embodying [b er or cavity 3. 1 y p same. Extending longitudinally from the ink 5!) ln said drawingsfe space or reservoir 9 of the pen is a passage lFigspl to 4,inclusiveQillustrate a pen ac- 10,,the outer or upper end whereof is norcording to one construction, Fig. 1 being a mally closed or sealed by an extension which longitudinal section and Fig. 2' a planv of constitutes a valve closure 4 of lever 4,4 34 the; rear or shank end of the pen prior to Screwed on the outer end of the pen body. 55, the applicationot the sleeve or cap; Fig. or barrel 1 is a cap 11, 11 having a recess 12 in which is housed a helically coiled wire spring 13.

Extending from the chamber or cavity 3 through the wall of the threaded portion of the pen shank'are air passages 14.

Similar. air communication may be effected in other convenient manner, and to facilitate such aircommunication by any or all methods, slots, or holes may be provlded where necessary or desirable in lever 4, 4 4 and in the push member 7 When the pen is not in use the parts are in the-positions shown in Fig. 1, the sleeve cap 2 being fitted on the nib end of the pen and the cap 11 (hereinafter for the purpose of convenience of reference designated valve cap) screwed down to positively maintain the valve closure 4 on its seating to seal the passage 10 through the abutment of? the shoulder 11 of said valve cap. It will be noted also that the outer portion of the push member 7 protrudes or projects be-' yond the wall of the body or barrel 1.

Vi hen it is desired to use the pen for writing purposes, the sleeve cap 2 is withdrawn from the nib end of the pen and placed on to the rear or shank end, (see Fig. 3) in which action it meets the portion of the push member 7 protruding into its travelling path, and displaces same inwardly, the arm 4 of said lever 4, 4, 4 possessing sullicient elasticity or spring to permit of such displacement, and the passage 6 being of such shape or configuration as to permit of the bending or flexing of the arm (see Figs. 3 and 4). When it is desired to charge the pen with ink, sleeve cap 2 is withdrawn and push member 7 returns to its normal position, see Fig. 1 through the reaction of spring arm 4. Valve cap 11 is now unscrewed slightly (say about one-half of one turn) but. valve closure 4 remains seated, under the influence of spring Simultaneously said valve cap uncovers the outer ends of the passages 14 (each of which extends from the outside of the screwed shank to the chamber or cavity and so establishes air communication between the atmosphere and the chamber or cavity 8. The sleeve cap 2 is now slid on to the penv body or barrel, in which movement it cuts off the passages 14, 14, from the atmosphere, and displaces inwardly the push member 7, whichlatter, by bearing against the arm 4, of. lever 4, 4 4, causes said lever to move about its pivotal support 5 so that the valve closure 4 rises irom its seat against the resistance of said spring 18 and uncovers the upper or outer end of the passage 10,so establishing air communication between the ink reservoir 9 and the space 2 within the sleeve cap 2, via passage 10, chamber or cavity 3, and passages 14.

In the continued inward or downward movement of said sleeve cap any residue ink remaining in the reservoir 9 will be dis charged through superior air pressure in obvious manner.

The nib end of the pen is now immersed and sealed in ink and the sleeve cap 2 is retracted in which movement a charge of ink is induced into the reservoir 9 through the vacuum created therein.

It will be noted that an annular shoul. der 2 is formed in the sleeve cap 2 which shoulder is adapted in the inward movement of cap 2 to contact with the top of the valve cap 11, and so control the stroke of said cap 2; the position of said shoulder is so timed or determined, as to ensure, on the return, or outward stroke of said cap that the ink induced into the reservoir 9 is the exact desired quantity or volume.

In the continued outer or retractive move ment of the sleeve cap 2, it leaves said push member 7 with the result that said lever 4, 4 4 is free toand does move about its pivotal support 5 under the influence of spring 13 so that the valve closure 4" automatically reseats itself to seal the passage 10.

Thus the ink charging operation is effected through the simple withdrawal or retraction of the sleeve cap 2.

Valve cap 11 is now screwed home to ensure the positive locking of valve closure 4 'on its seat.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 6, instead of the provision of spring 13 within a cavity 12 formed in the valve cap 11, a spring 13 is disposed between the push member 7 and the opposing wall faces of the chamber or cavity 3.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 7, spring 13 is of tension type. one end being secured to the valve closure 4 and the other end to the wall of the chamber or cavity 3. The construction of the lever, in this arrangement, is modified as shown. to provide for such a spring arrangement.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 8.. a plate spring 13 is employed, one end whereof is anchored to a wall of the chamber or cavity 3 and the other bears against the push member 7 In the modified construction shown in Fig. 9, the lower end of the lever arm l after passing through the push member T enters a socket 3 formed in the chamber or cavity This arm is of such springinose that the upper portion of the lcxer will turn about its pivotal support when said push member is displaced.

Referring to Fig. 10 the lever portion 4 is bifurcated, the component members whereof being hollowed or cut away. as shown, so that the lever may be detachablv sprung on to the transverse pin 5 by inscr lilil tion through the chamber or cavity 3 from the outer end.

In some cases, in order to enhance the flexibility oi the. arm 4 a piece of spring steelwire 15, or the like, may be inserted as a core to add to the strength and/or elasticity.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 11, instead of positioning the lever shown in Fig. 10 on a transverse pin carried through the pen body, a pin or spindle is loosely fitted through the lower end of the portion 4L, which is of appropriate width: the ends of which pin or spindle protrude somewhat so that on the positioning of the lever in a chamber or cavity 3 the spindle ends will engage in a friction tight manneragainst the walls thereoit. Alternatively, holes may be bored transversely through the chamber or cavity 3 to provide anchorage for the spindle ends.

Referring to the modification illustrated in Fig. 12, two air passages 10 are provided, the valve closure 4 of lever 4c, 4?, a being appropriately enlarged to control same.

Referring to Fig. 13, 17 indicates a slot provided in the nib end of the body or barrel 1, which slot, when the pen is not in use, and the nib end is covered by the sleeve cap 2, etlects air communication between the atmosphere and the interior of said cap.

.Jtlternat-ively, this object may be attained by the formation oi a Hat or flats on the barrel, or in any other convenient manner.

Or a hole or holes may be provided in the sleeve cap 2 which are adapted to be closed by the finger or fingers of the user, or in other convenient manner, during the discharging and charging operation.

Referring to Figs. 14 and 15, 16 represents a valve of mushroom type which is adapted to be operatedby a push member 7 against a spring 19 located on the inside end of the valve and bearing against the wall of the pen body or barrel 1. A second spring 20 is fitted between the push member 7 and the valve 18 and is of greater strength than the spring 19 and so adapted as to overpush the latter in the operation of opening the valve 18. The depending extension 11" of valve cap 11 when screwed home positively locks valve 18 by pushing laterally against it and on said valve cap being retracted the extension 11 leaves space for the valve to open under the in fluence of the push member 7. When the valve is shut and looked the stronger spring 20 between push member 7 and the valve 18 will give sufficiently to permit of the cap 2 being pushed on the barrel 1 preparatory to the act of writing.

Referring to Fig. 16, 21 represents a slide valve. Normally this valve covers the air passage 10 and is maintainedin locked position by the vertical pressure of extension 11 of valve cap 11. Two springs 19 and 20 are fitted in similar manner to those in Figs. 14 and 15, and for the same purposes. Any suitable means may be used to prevent valve 21 from revolving.

In Fig. 17 there is shown a modified mode of anchoring the push member 7 in the aperture 8 bored in the barrel 1 for its reception. A wire spring 22 is so fitted that when. the push member 7 is projected through the aperture 8 said spring 22 opens or expands and in so doing forms a projection 22 which engages in the inside of the barrel as shown and prevents it from corning out of said aperture. Said push memher 7 may be easily removed by pressing the spring 22 from the inside with any suitable instrument. Alternatively, the push member 7 may be anchored in any'other convement manner.

In Figs. 1., 3, 4., 14-, and 16, of the drawings, the barrel 1 is shown slightly tapered at the valve or shank end so as to register or align with a corresponding taper shown on valve cap 11, to admit of the passage of air between the reservoir 9 of the barrel 1 and the space 2 of cap 2- (via the passages already described) in the pen charging operation. This object may however, be obtained in other convenient manner.

The valve cap shown in the drawings is an eifective means of forming a positive valve lock, and at the same time serves the object of conserving the contour of the pen and of providing an effective means of keep ing working parts clean by excluding dust, etcetera and fluii particularly from the pocket of the user. I may however, attain the said positive locking by any other means or by the use of any known mechanical device and may in so doing dispense with the cap should it from any cause be desirable to do so.

The spring or springs used may be of metal of any kind or of vulcanite or any suitable elastic material. H of metal they may, to prevent them being affected by the acids in the ink, be covered with any suitable acid resisting material, such as rubber or the like vulcanized after application, or may be similarly coated with elastic enamel or other acid resisting substance. Or, if metal, may be covered with another, and acid resisting metal, such as gold plate, or may be gold or silver plated by electrolytic deposition. Metal springs may be vulcanized into a piece of rubber. Rubber, cork, or any other elastic substance may be used instead of the springs shown on drawings.

Having now described my invention, what 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a self-filling reservoir pen of the type in which a charge of ink is induced into the pen barrel through the reciprocatory movement of an external cap, an air opening or openings, provided at the rear end oi": the pen barrel; a valve which normally closes said opening or openings; means whereby said valve is opened and maintained open through the contact of the inside Wall of the cap with a valve actuating member which or a portion whereof normally protrudes or is adapted to be protruded into the travelling path of the inside face of the cap. when said cap is reciprocated on the barrel in the discharging (oi? residue ink, it any) and charging operation, and closes automatically when the latter operation is completed; and means for locking said valve and maintaining same locked at will.

In a self-filling reservoir pen of the type in which a charge of ink is induced into the pen barrel through the reciprocatory movement of an external cap, an air opening or openings provided at the rear end of the pen barrel; a valve Which normally closes through the contact 0'! the inside wall of the cap with a valve actuating nienili'en \vh'n-h or a portion Whereoi normally protrudes, or is adapted to be protruded in to the travellin path of the inside face of the cap, when said cap is reci n'ocated on the barrel in the discharging (of residue ink, ii any) and charging operation and (loses :ultoniatically when the latter operation is completed; and a cap screwed on to the back end of the pen and adapted to hear on said valve for locking said valve and maintaining same locked at will.

In testimony whereoi I aliix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FELIX THOMAS OHANLON.

Vitnesses EMILY BURNETT, I. F. V. HINDLEY WALKER. 

